The United Way of New York City’s (UWNYC) Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) today kicked off its 10^th anniversary year with an awards luncheon honoring women who have made a significant impact on their communities through philanthropic giving, advocacy, and volunteerism.  KDH attended this year’s annual “The Power of Women to Make a Difference” luncheon which featured an amazing, personal keynote speech delivered by CNN anchor and Special Correspondent, Soledad O’Brien.

The event, hosted by our gorgeous friend, style expert & philanthropist Mary Alice Stephenson, raised $362,000 in proceeds which will directly benefit the Women’s Leadership Council Fund.  The WLC Fund supports UWNYC’s youth empowerment initiatives which include efforts to reduce childhood obesity, improve the quality of early care and education, and boost on-time graduation rates.

“Today’s honorees are three of the most exceptional women I know,” said Gordon Campbell, President and CEO of United Way of New York City.  “Their work and leadership embody the tremendous spirit of philanthropy and community service – truly ‘The Power of Women to Make a Difference’ in our great city.”

The 2012 WLC honorees are: Karen B. Peetz, BNY Mellon, Women’s Leadership Council Founder’s Award; Hamptonite Avis Richards, Birds Nest Productions, Women’s Leadership Council Philanthropist Award; Ivette Fernandez, News Corporation, Women’s Leadership Council Woman of Distinction Award.

The luncheon also launched a social media campaign focused around “What Woman Inspires You?” The campaign allows the public to pay tribute to female role models on twitter (#WLCinspire), Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

The WLC has raised more than $3 million in support of United Way of New York City’s youth empowerment initiatives since 2006.  These include:

• Graduate, Prepare, Succeed (GPS-NYC), which targets ninth graders with a history of chronic absenteeism in 60 underserved public schools and provides them with academic support, attendance outreach, counseling, and case management in order to improve on-time graduation rates and college readiness.

• Supporting Transitions from Early-education to Public School (STEPS), which seeks to ensure that that a child’s learning and developmental needs are continuously met during the first eight years of life – ensuring that they master essential reading and math skills, a critical foundation for success in middle school, high school and beyond.

• Healthy Eating for a Healthy Start, which provides nutrition education within the Head Start system and engages children, families, and staff in activities that lead to healthy eating.

About the Women’s Leadership Council

The Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) is a network of women dedicated to making a difference in the lives of New York City’s young people.  The WLC, now celebrating their 10th anniversary, has raised more than $3 million in support of United Way of New York City’s youth empowerment initiatives. The WLC’s efforts comprise much more than fundraising, such as panel discussions on topics that affect young people in our community to networking events with other members.

About United Way of New York City

United Way of New York City fights poverty across the five boroughs. We design and invest in evidence-based programs that help low-income New Yorkers achieve educational success, income stability and good health.  We rigorously evaluate our work and use lessons learned to inform and advance citywide policies and practices that prevent and alleviate poverty citywide.